Free Irrefutable Evidence by Melissa F. Miller Page A

Her face grew hot as she wondered exactly how much damage her reputation had sustained as a result of her highly publicized escapes from death. She pushed the concern aside to obsess over at a later date. Right now, she had to focus on Yim.
    “ Don ’ t be pedantic. Ms. Yim isn ’ t a named defendant. She ’ s simply an employee of the defendant. And the existence of the crime doesn ’ t negatively impact my clients ’ claims — in fact, a government indictment and prosecution would likely help their case. ”
    Charlotte made a sour face and shook her head. It was time to put her to a decision.
    Sasha stood and motioned for Yim to do the same. “ Maybe I misjudged you — or you ’ ve changed. Ms. Yim has solid, unassailable evidence that a local mortgage broker and fire inspector are conspiring with certain of her colleagues to pay out fire claims. I think we both know that the remaining player in this little vignette is going to prove to be someone you ’ ve been actively looking at for other crimes. But if you ’ re not interested in hearing her out, I ’ m sure she ’ ll be more than happy to keep her mouth firmly shut and move on with her life. ”
    Charlotte held up her hand and patted at the air. “ Let ’ s not get swept away on a wave of righteous indignation, okay? Sit down, please, and let ’ s talk this through. But if you aren ’ t officially representing Ms. Yim, then we both owe it to her to see if she would like independent representation for this discussion. Don ’ t you agree? ”
    She did, actually. “ Yes, of course. Laura? ”
    Yim shook her head frantically. “ No, I don’ t want to find another lawyer. Please, I understand Sasha can ’ t officially represent me. It ’ s okay, though. I didn ’ t do anything wrong, so I don ’ t need an attorney. ”
    Classic layman ’ s misunderstanding. If you haven ’ t done anything wrong and you ’ re talking to the feds, you definitely need a lawyer.
    “ Tell you what, ” Sasha said. “ I ’ m going to step out and call my clients in the insurance coverage case. I ’ m sure they ’ ll waive any conflict — actual or imagined — that might result from my helping Ms. Yim in this limited capacity. ”
    “ That ’ s an excellent idea. ” The color was returning to Charlotte ’ s face.
    Yim opened her mouth as if to protest, but Sasha shot her a look that seemed to do the trick. The claims adjuster clamped her mouth shut. Sasha excused herself as Charlotte drew on her deep well of social propriety and started to prattle to Yim about her Christmas plans.
     
     
    ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
     
     
    Sasha found one of the innumerable, inexplicable nooks that were scattered throughout the pre-war building — a small bump out, just five or six feet, set off from the hallway near Charlotte ’ s office. She leaned against the smooth, marble wall and pulled out her phone to dial the Maravaches ’ telephone number.
    “ Hello? ” Tamsin answered almost immediately.
    “ Hi. It ’ s Sasha. Do you have a minute? ”
    “ Sure. How ’ d the deposition go? Should I put you on speaker so Pete can hear, too? He ’ s right here. ”
    “ That ’ d be great. ” She waited until she heard Pete ’ s greeting then continued, “ Hi, Pete. I can give you two all the details about the deposition later, but right now I have a quick question for you. The corporate representative —“
    “ Laura Yim? The woman who denied our claim? ” Tamsin interjected.
    “ That ’ s the one. She didn ’ t say anything new or surprising about your claim, but it became clear to her as she testified that Mid-Atlantic has been caught up in some criminal activity. Again, not with regard to your claim, but it involves her department. ”
    There was a silence on the phone while Tamsin and Pete digested that information.
    “ They ’ re criminals? ” Pete asked in a hushed tone.
    “ Well, maybe. Some of them appear to be. ”
    “ Okay. What does that mean to us?